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crime in me that I adore Rosabella； 'tis a crime of which Heaven
itself will absolve me； since it formed Rosabella so worthy to be
adored。〃
〃You seem to lay too much stress on this fantastic apology；〃
answered the Doge； contemptuously； 〃at least you cannot expect that
it should have much weight with me。〃
〃I say it once more； my lord；〃 resumed Flodoardo； while he rose from
the ground； 〃that I intend to make no apology； I mean not to excuse
my love for Rosabella； but to request your approbation of that love。
Andreas； I adore your niece； I demand her for my bride。〃
The Doge started in astonishment at this bold and unexpected
request。
〃It is true；〃 continued the Florentine； 〃I am no more than a needy；
unknown youth； and it seems a piece of strange temerity when such a
man proposes himself to espouse the heiress of the Venetian Doge。
But； by Heaven； I am confident that the great Andreas means not to
bestow his Rosabella on one of those whose claims to favour are
overflowing coffers； extensive territories； and sounding titles； or
who vainly decorate their insignificance with the glory obtained by
the titles of their ancestors； glory of which they are themselves
incapable of acquiring a single ray。 I acknowledge freely that I
have as yet performed no actions which make me deserving of such a
reward as Rosabella； but it shall not be long ere I WILL perform
such actions； or perish in the attempt。〃
The Doge turned from him with a look of displeasure。
〃Oh； be not incensed with him； dear uncle；〃 said Rosabella。 She
hastened to detain the Doge； threw her white arms around his neck
fondly； and concealed in his bosom the tears with which her
countenance was bedewed。
〃Make your demands；〃 continued Flodoardo； still addressing himself
to the Doge； 〃say what you wish me to do； and what you would have me
become； in order to obtain from you the hand of Rosabella。 Ask what
you will； I will look on the task； however difficult； as nothing
more than sport and pastime。 By Heaven； I would that Venice were at
this moment exposed to the most imminent danger； and that ten
thousand daggers were unsheathed against your life； Rosabella my
rewardhow certain should I be to rescue Venice； and strike the ten
thousand daggers down。〃
〃I have served the Republic faithfully and fervently for many a long
year；〃 answered Andreas； with a bitter smile； 〃I have risked my life
without hesitation； I have shed my blood with profusion； I asked
nothing for my reward but to pass my old age in soft tranquillity；
and of this reward have I been cheated。 My bosom friends； the
companions of my youth； the confidants of my age； have been torn
from me by the daggers of banditti； and you； Flodoardo； you； on whom
I heaped all favours； have now deprived me of this my only remaining
comfort。 Answer me； Rosabella； hast thou in truth bestowed thy
heart on Flodoardo irrevocably？〃
One hand of Rosabella's still rested on her uncle's shoulder； with
the other she clasped Flodoardo's and pressed it fondly against her
heartyet Flodoardo seemed still unsatisfied。 No sooner had the
Doge's question struck his ear； than his countenance became
dejected； and though his hand returned the pressure of Rosabella's；
he shook his head mournfully； with an air of doubt； and cast on her
a penetrating look； as would he have read the secrets of her inmost
soul。
Andreas withdrew himself gently from Rosabella's arm； and for some
time paced the apartment slowly； with a countenance sad and earnest。
Rosabella sank upon a sofa which stood near her； and wept。
Flodoardo eyed the Doge； and waited for his decision with
impatience。
Thus passed some minutes。 An awful silence reigned through the
chamber； Andreas seemed to be labouring with some resolution of
dreadful importance。 The lovers wished； yet dreaded； the conclusion
of the scene； and with every moment their anxiety became more
painful。
〃Flodoardo！〃 at length said the Doge； and suddenly stood still in
the middle of the chamber。 Flodoardo advanced with a respectful
air。 〃Young man；〃 he continued； 〃I am at length resolved； Rosabella
loves you； nor will I oppose the decision of her heart； but
Rosabella is much too precious to admit of my bestowing her on the
first who thinks fit to demand her。 The man to whom I give her must
be worthy such a gift。 She must be the reward of his services； nor
can he do services so great that such a reward will not overpay
them。 Your claims on the Republic's gratitude are as yet but
trifling； an opportunity now offers of rendering as an essential
service。 The murderer of Conari； Manfrone； and Lomellinogo； bring
him hither！ Alive or dead； thou must bring to this palace the
terrible banditti…king； ABELLINO！〃
At this unexpected conclusion of a speech on which his happiness or
despair depended； Flodoardo started back。 The colour fled from his
cheeks。
〃My noble lord！〃 he said at length； hesitating； 〃you know well that…
…〃
〃I know well；〃 interrupted Andreas； 〃how difficult a task I enjoin；
when I require the delivery of Abellino。 For myself I swear that I
had rather a thousand times force my passage with a single vessel
through the whole Turkish fleet； and carry off the admiral's ship
from the midst of them； than attempt to seize this Abellino； who
seems to have entered into a compact with Lucifer himself： who is
to be found everywhere and nowhere； whom so many have seen； but whom
no one knows； whose cautious subtlety has brought to shame the
vigilance of our State inquisitors； of the College of Ten； and of
all their legions of spies and sbirri； whose very name strikes
terror into the hearts of the bravest Venetians； and from whose
dagger I myself am not safe upon my throne。 I know well； Flodoardo；
how much I ask； but I know also how much I proffer。 You seem
irresolute？ You are silent？ Flodoardo； I have long watched you
with attention。 I have discovered in you marks of a superior
genius； and therefore I am induced to make such a demand。 If any
one is able to cope with Abellino； thou art the man。 I wait your
answer。〃
Flodoardo paced the chamber in silence。 Dreadful was the enterprise
proposed。 Woe to him should Abellino discover his purpose。 But
Rosabella was the reward。 He cast a look on the beloved one； and
resolved to risk everything。
He advanced towards the Doge。
Andreas。Now； then； Flodoardoyour resolution？
Flodoardo。Should I deliver Abellino into your power； do you
solemnly swear that Rosabella shall be my bride？
Andreas。She shall！ and NOT TILL THEN。
Rosabella。Ah！ Flodoardo； I fear this undertaking will end
fatally。 Abellino is so crafty； so dreadful。 Oh！ look well to
yourself； for should you meet with the detested monster； whose
dagger …
Flodoardo （interrupting her hastily）。Oh！ silence； Rosabellaat
least allow me to hope。 Noble Andreas； give me your hand； and
pledge your princely w